Gun of Ashes

Chapter 494: Chapter 95: Chitchat

Lorenzo was somewhat surprised, his hands found nowhere to rest, and finally placed on his knees, like a child being reprimanded.

”Actually... are you worried about Hig?” Lorenzo asked tentatively.

This wasn’t a coincidental conversation. Mrs. Van Rudd had likely considered retirement for a long time, but only made the decision due to the arrival of the rainy season.

A truly annoying rainy season, the irritating rain washes the world, trapping everyone at home.

Briefly reflecting on past times, Lorenzo was amazed to find that apart from her bad temper, the old lady was quite nice, like a foul-tempered nanny, sometimes giving you pleasant surprises due to her legendary life experiences.

Mrs. Van Rudd nodded full of worries.

”Hig is not like you. You, no matter what, can survive, and you won’t go astray.”

Lorenzo beamed, never expecting to be seen as so upright and aboveboard in Mrs. Van Rudd’s eyes.

”Are you feeling smug? I mean... you might be considered a good person... maybe.” Her voice sounded hesitant, as good and evil aren’t absolute, ”At least, you have a strong enough will not to be influenced by others.”

Mrs. Van Rudd slowly spoke, looking at Lorenzo’s smug face.

”Though you kill and commit arson, at least you never bring troublesome things home, and you are willing to help me wash dishes.”

Lorenzo didn’t know what to say. He suddenly found it so simple to please this old lady in front of him.

”But Hig is different. He is a very complex child. He came here much earlier than you, and at that time, he wasn’t even as tall as this table.”

Mrs. Van Rudd expressed her worries.

”My husband and I had no children. After he died, I was left alone in this house, actually quite bored. Then I met young Hig on the street, he was looking for work, any work, as long as food and lodging were provided.”

”Hiring child labor is illegal!” Lorenzo shouted.

”I know,” Mrs. Van Rudd rolled her eyes at him and continued, ”but someone would still take him in, those black-hearted factories, gangs, even worse things...”

Old Dunling is a complex city, with the most advanced technology, but also the most backward areas. It can create exquisite and beautiful crowns, but the sky is forever gray, never seeing sunlight.

”So you let him move in?”

”Just like raising a small animal, to add some life to the empty house, anyway, he didn’t eat much.”

”Then why not keep a dog instead?”

”Unfortunately, I didn’t find a dog back then.”

Lorenzo fell silent, somewhat understanding Mrs. Van Rudd. At that time, she lost her beloved husband, almost lost everything. Humans find it hard to bear sorrow, so they learn to forget, to invest themselves in something else, just like Lorenzo dedicated himself to slaying demons after the Night of the Holy Arrival.

Perhaps she had placed all those hopes on Hig... he truly was lucky.

”I am really worried. I don’t know what Hig will become. You know, he started using hallucinogens before... he likes to hide everything in his heart and doesn’t tell others. I’m afraid he’ll turn into someone we all don’t want to see.”

Mrs. Van Rudd continued speaking.

”I have thought about having Hig accompany me to the countryside, but I am almost at death’s door, and Hig is still young. Old Dunling is very suitable for young people like him. How could I selfishly take him away from here because of myself?”

The fierce old lady vanished, replaced by a nagging old fellow. Lorenzo suddenly realized this might be the first time he seriously conversed with Mrs. Van Rudd. In retrospect, although they seemed close, they both maintained a certain distance.

”Have you come to regard Hig as your own child?” Lorenzo asked.

”I watched him grow up with my own eyes. Even without blood relations... you raise a small animal for over ten years, you’d develop feelings, wouldn’t you?” Mrs. Van Rudd said, not forgetting to mock Lorenzo.

Lorenzo was a bit curious, ”Then what am I considered?”

”You?” Mrs. Van Rudd glanced at him disdainfully.

”Stepson?” Lorenzo guessed.

”A troublemaker who came on his own, can’t be driven away.”

”You really know how to hurt people with words!”

”When did you become so fragile?”

The two bickered as usual. Fortunately, all those outdated ordnances had been moved away, otherwise, this old lady might be preparing to draw her gun.

Lorenzo suddenly felt dazed. To some extent, the sense of happiness is derived from contrast. Lying comfortably on the sofa, watching the heavy rain outside, he felt an odd sense of luck.

Sometimes his life felt truly torn apart, not long ago filled with deep hatred, ready to fight to the death with the new Order, and now staying in a warm home, discussing the latter half of life with the old lady. This disparity was quite significant, even disrupting Lorenzo’s rage before stepping through the door.

”Everyone’s life doesn’t absolutely overlap. One day you’ll move out of this house, Hig too, and so will I.”

Mrs. Van Rudd sighed, but just then, a sound came from outside the door, hoofbeats speeding up, then coming to a steady stop at the door.

Someone had arrived.

”But you’re still somewhat useful, Lorenzo. He’s a good kid, but you aren’t a good thing.”